P0443 on 2013-2018 Nissan Altima: EVAP Purge Valve Circuit Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2013-2018 Nissan Altima

While P0443 is a generic code, on Nissan platforms like the Altima, it is a very common trouble code that strongly points to the failure of the purge solenoid valve itself. Unlike some other vehicles where wiring or other components are equally suspect, the purge valve is the primary failure point on these models. The issue is consistent across the entire 2013-2018 (L33) generation and shared with other Nissan vehicles using the same engines and part.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on.
• Rough idle or stalling, especially if the valve is stuck open.
• Slightly reduced fuel economy.
• A faint fuel odor near the vehicle.
• Vehicle will not pass an emissions inspection.
• Difficulty starting the engine.

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty EVAP Purge Solenoid Valve 🔴 High Probability The solenoid coil can fail electrically (open or short circuit) or the internal valve can become stuck over time, which is a common failure mode for this part on many Nissan vehicles. This part is known to fail frequently across a wide range of Nissan models that use it.
   How to confirm: Locate the valve on the engine near the intake manifold. With the engine off, disconnect the electrical connector and test the resistance across the two pins with a multimeter; a reading of infinity (OL) 🎬 See this step-by-step video on testing the solenoid with a multimeter. or zero ohms indicates a failed coil. A normal reading for a Nissan purge valve is often in the range of 15-38 ohms. You can also briefly apply 12V directly to the pins to listen for an audible 'click'; no click means the valve is mechanically stuck.
   Typical fix: Replace the EVAP purge solenoid valve.
   Est. part cost: $40-$230
2. Damaged Wiring or Connector 🟡 Medium Probability
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness and connector leading to the purge solenoid for any signs of cracking, fraying, melting, or corrosion on the pins. Use a multimeter to check for battery voltage (approx. 12V) on the power wire (often Yellow on Nissans) with the ignition on. Check for continuity on the ground wire (often Tan) back to the ECM. A break or short in this wiring will trigger P0443.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of the wire or clean/replace the connector.
   Est. part cost: $5-$30
3. Blown Fuse ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: Check the vehicle's fuse box diagram (often in the engine bay) for the fuse related to the emissions or EVAP system. Pull the fuse and visually inspect if it has blown. If no power is reaching the purge valve connector, a blown fuse is a likely cause.
   Typical fix: Replace the blown fuse. If it blows again, a short circuit exists in the purge valve circuit that must be diagnosed.
   Est. part cost: $1-$5

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty Engine Control Module (ECM): This is rare, but if the valve, wiring, and fuse are all confirmed to be good, the driver circuit within the ECM may have failed. This should be the last component to suspect. There are documented cases on forums where after replacing all other components, a faulty ECM was the confirmed root cause.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Scan the vehicle with an OBD-II scanner to confirm P0443 is the primary code. Read freeze frame data to understand engine conditions when the fault occurred.
2. Locate the EVAP purge solenoid valve on the engine. On the 2.5L and 3.5L Altima, it is typically mounted on or near the intake manifold with two hoses and a 2-pin electrical connector.
3. Inspect the electrical connector and wiring going to the valve for any visible damage, corrosion, or loose connections.
4. Check the fuse for the EVAP system in the fuse box. If it's blown, replace it and see if the code returns.
5. Disconnect the connector. Use a multimeter to check for battery voltage on one of the pins in the harness-side connector with the ignition on. One wire (often yellow) should have constant power.
6. Test the valve itself. Measure the resistance between the two pins on the valve. A normal reading is typically between 15-38 ohms. An open circuit (OL) or short (0 ohms) means the valve is bad.
7. If resistance is okay, you can briefly apply 12V and a ground to the valve's pins to listen for a distinct click. No click means the valve is mechanically stuck.
8. If the valve and wiring seem good, the problem may be a rare ECM failure. This was confirmed by some owners at dealerships after all other components checked out.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid Valve (OEM #14935-JF00E (supersedes 14935-JF00A, 14935-JF00B)) — This is the most common failure point for code P0443 on this vehicle, due to either electrical failure of the coil or the valve becoming stuck.
  Trusted brands: Nissan (OEM), Dorman (e.g., 911-503, 911-504), Standard Motor Products (e.g., CP759), Hitachi, CARQUEST (e.g., CPC1211)
  OEM price range: $200-$230
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$110

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0171 — If the purge valve is stuck open, it creates a vacuum leak, allowing unmetered air into the intake manifold. 🎬 Watch how a leaking purge valve causes lean mixture codes. This can cause the engine to run lean, triggering a 'System Too Lean (Bank 1)' code.
• P0444 — This code for 'EVAP Purge Control Valve Circuit Open' can appear if you disconnect the valve's electrical connector to test it with the ignition on. It confirms the ECM is monitoring the circuit.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Aftermarket Part Quality Varies: While aftermarket purge valves from brands like Dorman are significantly cheaper, some owners on forums like 'BobIsTheOilGuy' have reported premature failures or fitment issues with Dorman parts in general, though many use them without issue. For peace of mind, OEM is often recommended despite the higher cost.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• EVAP Canister Purge Volume Control Solenoid Valve Resistance — expected: Approximately 33.4 Ω at 25°C (77°F). Failure: A reading of infinity (open circuit) or near zero ohms (short circuit).
• Voltage at Purge Valve Connector (Harness Side) — expected: Pin 1 (Yellow wire): Battery voltage with ignition ON. Pin 2 (Tan wire): This is the ground-side control from the ECM. Voltage will vary based on ECM duty cycle command, but should show near 0V when the valve is commanded OFF and fluctuate when commanded ON.. Failure: No voltage on Pin 1 indicates a power supply issue (fuse, relay, or wiring). No change on Pin 2 during an active test points to a wiring or ECM driver issue.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Nissan CONSULT (or advanced aftermarket scanners): Active Test: 'PURGE VOL CONT/V' — This bidirectional command allows the technician to manually open the purge valve in controlled increments (e.g., 0%, 25%, 50%) while the engine is running. It is used to verify that the ECM can control the valve and that the valve responds mechanically. A change in engine RPM or short-term fuel trim should be observed when the valve is opened, confirming its operation.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• ECM Connector M29, Pin 4 — This is the specific pin on the main ECM harness connector that provides the ground-side control signal to the purge valve (Tan wire). The ECM is located behind the glove box.. If the valve and its power supply are good, a continuity test from Pin 2 at the valve connector to Pin 4 at the M29 connector can confirm if the control wire is intact. A break in this wire is a common cause of P0443 that isn't the valve itself.
• Fuse 15 (10A) — Located in the fuse block inside the vehicle, often referred to as the Junction Box (J/B).. This fuse provides power to the EVAP Canister Purge Volume Control Solenoid Valve. While a blown fuse is uncommon without a short circuit, it is a critical and simple check. If this fuse is blown, the valve will have no power at Pin 1.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• NICOclub Forums (2013 Nissan Altima 2.5L) — Check Engine Light with code P0443.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced the EVAP purge solenoid valve twice (once with aftermarket, once with OEM)., Checked for voltage at the valve connector (found 12V)., Checked continuity of the wiring harness between the valve and the ECM.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The Engine Control Module (ECM) was faulty. After replacing the ECM and having the dealer program it, the code was resolved. The owner noted the part cost was ~$800 and labor for programming was ~$120. This confirms that in rare cases where all other components and wiring are verified good, the ECM's internal driver circuit can be the root cause.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 14935-JF00A → 14935-JF00B, 14935-JF00C, 14935-JF00D, and finally 14935-JF00E — Standard part evolution for improved reliability or manufacturing process changes. The high number of revisions suggests Nissan was aware of issues with earlier versions of the valve.
  Heads up: All superseded parts (A, B, C, D) are fully replaced by 14935-JF00E. While an older version might be found, installing the latest revision (JF00E) is highly recommended for longevity.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2013-2018: No significant variations have been documented for the P0443 code diagnosis on the L33 Altima. The purge valve part number, its location, and the diagnostic procedure remained consistent across the 2016 model year facelift for both the 2.5L (QR25DE) and 3.5L (VQ35DE) engines.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Used vs. New Parts: Buying Guide for This Vehicle

When a used part is the smart pick: For this specific repair, a used part is NOT recommended. The EVAP purge solenoid is a known high-failure item with multiple OEM part revisions. A used part from a salvage yard has an unknown history and a high probability of either being faulty already or failing shortly after installation.

What to inspect on the donor part:

• Not applicable as used parts are not advised for this component.

OEM-only on this vehicle (don't cheap out):

• Engine Control Module (ECM) - Must be OEM and requires dealer programming to the vehicle's VIN and key system.

Aftermarket brands forum-validated for this vehicle:

• Hitachi (Often the original OEM manufacturer for Nissan electronics)
• Standard Motor Products (SMP)
• Denso

Brands owners have reported issues with on this vehicle:

• Unbranded or 'white box' parts from online marketplaces. While Dorman is a common choice due to price and availability, some owners report a higher-than-average failure rate for their solenoid products compared to OEM or premium aftermarket brands like Hitachi.

Real Owner Stories

Aggregated from forums and TSBs cited above. Mileages and costs reflect what owners reported in those sources.

Related OBD-II Codes

• P0171 — System Too Lean (Bank 1). The P0443 fault can be caused by a purge valve that is mechanically stuck open. This creates a vacuum leak, introducing unmetered air into the intake and causing a lean fuel condition, which triggers P0171.
• P0300 — Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire. A severe lean condition caused by a stuck-open purge valve can disrupt the air-fuel ratio enough to cause engine misfires, especially at idle, as noted in the list of common symptoms.
• P0606 — ECM/PCM Processor Fault. The article context explicitly states that in rare cases, a faulty ECM is the root cause of the P0443 code after the valve and wiring have been ruled out. P0606 is a generic code indicating an internal ECM failure.
• P0174 — System Too Lean (Bank 2). On V6-equipped Altimas, a stuck-open purge valve will affect both cylinder banks, potentially triggering P0174 along with P0171.

Frequently Asked Questions